On Wednesday, the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) softball team rang in their home opener with a doubleheader sweep over the University of Minnesota Crookston as they won game one 8-0 in five innings, then game two 9-2 at Malosky Stadium.

In game one, UMD senior pitcher Lauren Dixon threw her first career no-hitter dealing eight strikeouts throughout five innings. It marks the first no-hitter by a Bulldog pitcher since Sam Peterson threw one on April 6, 2021. Offensively the Bulldogs were led by Kiana Bender with one run, one hit and two RBI off a two-run homer in the fourth, and Kate Mohr with one run, two hits and one RBI.

In game two, Bender recorded two runs, two hits and two RBI, while Elle Potts had one run, one hit and three RBI off a three-run homer in the fourth inning. Allyssa Williams pitched three strikeouts from the circle through five innings.

UMD improves to 27-12 overall and 8-6 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play. They’re next set to host the University of Sioux Falls for a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Malosky Stadium.